Robo-chord



K. A. BOWEN Jan. 29, 1952 ROBO-CHORD 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Original FiledOct. 26, 1948 ATTORNEYS Jan. 29, 1952 K. A. BOWEN Re. 23,458

ROEO-CHORD Original Filed Oct. 26 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET KJLBawem INVENTORATTORNEYS v Reissued Jan. 29, 1952 ROBO-CHORD Kermit A. Bowen, La Mesa,Calif.

Original No. 2,521,686, dated September 12, 1950, Serial No. 56,505,October 26, 1948. Application for reissue September 10,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to musical instruments,

and more particularly, has reference to a stringed instrument mostclosely resembling a zither.

An important object of the invention is to provide an instrument thatwill be a musical education in itself, executing chord progression, andwill vividly portray the intervals, which make one chord differ fromanother.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device orinstrument as described so designed as to enable anyone not familiarwith music to make all the chords in all the keys in rapid succession.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described which will be an aid to the music students, inlearning the chords.

Another important object is to provide a musical instrument of thecharacter described which can be played with one hand, so that themelody may be played with the other hand, or so that said free hand maybe used to follow words or other indicia.

In its broader aspects, the invention includes a sound box in which aresecured a plurality of strings, so that the instrument has the generalappearance of a zither; a trackway extending over the strings; a frameslidable in the trackway, so that it can be adjusted to differentpositions relative to the strings for the purpose of playing chords indifferent keys; a plurality of bars [removably] mounted on the frame,these bars being removable [so] if it is desired that other bars may besubstituted, and each bar having spaced depressions located over theparticular strings to be picked; and a pick specially formed to ridefrom end to end of a selected bar, and responsive to the depressions inthe bar for the purpose of picking all the strings of a particularchord.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an instrument constructed in accordancewith the invention, one end thereof being broken away.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing theremovable mounting of the bars.

1951, Serial No.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: II appears in the original patentbut forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed initalics indicates the additions made by reissue.

, elongated bars 24.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1showing the slidable mounting of the frame.

Figure 4 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in longitudinalsection through a pick as it appears when traversing one of the bars.

Figure 5 is a sideelevational view of said pick.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Ill is-a sound box the design ofwhich may obviously be varied, said sound box having secured therein thestrings II. In the illustrated example, the strings cover two octaves,and they are tuned chromatically. It will be understood that more orless strings can be used as desired.

Cross members l2 are mounted on the side walls of the sound box I0,being secured fixedly by fastening means I3. These cross members areparallel, and provide a trackway for the rectangular frame generallydesignated l4, said frame comprising the end members l5 and the sidemembers Hi, all fixedly joined to provide the frame.

To mount the frame slidably in the trackway, I form in the cross membersl2 the grooves ll (Figs. 1 and 3) that extend from end to end of eachcross member. Received in the grooves are the tongues l8 projecting frommembers 16 and the respective end members l5 of the frame, and thus theframe is slidably mounted in the trackway.

The purpose of slidably mounting the frame in the trackway is to permitthe frame to be adjusted to various positions relative to the strings Il,,so that the chords can be played in any selected key. Once adjustedto a selected position, the frame is left stationary during the use ofthe device, until such time as it may be desired to change the key.

To designate the key in which the chords will be played, I form on oneof the members IS the index l9, that overlies one of the cross members12, said cross member l2 being marked with suitable indicia 20 todesignate the various keys.

The same cross member I2 is also preferably marked with indicia 2i tonumber the strings, although said numbering of the strings is no ofcourse critical to the invention.

Formed in the opposed end members I5 are the notches or seats 22, feltpadded as at 23, and

in the seats 22 are received the ends of the In the present instance,the

device is illustrated as having sixteen of these bars, but more or lessof them can be used as desired. In any event, each bar has formed atselected spaced intervals the depressions 25, each depression orconcavity 25 overlying aparticular string II. The bars 24 are evenlyspaced apart and theyeatend over the many strings on the soundj.-bo:c inspacedand transverse relation to the strings; thus forming along oneside of each bar, between it and an adjacent bar or longitudinal memberof the bar frame or bridge, a corresponding channel or slot to receiveand guide a pick across the set of strings in the playing of a chord orof selected notes in a chord. The intervals of the spaced grooves ordepressions of each bar are arranged ,to correspond with the spacings ofthe strings to be pickedin sounding a particular chord, and the barframe is provided with as many diflerent pick channels and difierentlygrooved guide bars as may be needed for playing the different chords tobe rendered in the use of the instrument. Any desired chord or sequenceof harmonious notes or chords then may be played simply by moving asuitable pick into and along the appropriate channel, or along selectedchannels in succession, while holding the pick by hand in operativeengagement with the corresponding guide bar or bars as hereinafterindicated. Each stroke of the pick thus is guided'evenly across the"strings, andin each stroke the formations on the corresponding guide'bar hold the pick out of contact with strings discordant to the desiredchord or melody yet lower the pickinto proper playing contact withstrings belonging to that chord.

The particular bars or the corresponding chanads may be designated bynumber as shown at 26, the numerical marking of the has being providedon one end member [5. Or, and as shown at 21, tabs or cards can be usedin -association with the channel corresponding to each bar to designatethe chord which is played by the use of that particular bar.

The bars 24 can of course be substituted, and thus any composition canbe played without leaving out or substituting chords, it being necessaryonly that the player first substitutefor those bars already on thedevice other spare bars from a reserve rack, so that a particularcomposition can be played. Some of the bars, representing the mainvchords, can be fixed in position, rather than capable of substitution,so as to make the whole frame construction more rigid.

In use of the device a pick illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is employed.This has a handle 28, formed with the bore 29 in which is adapted toreciprocate the plunger 30, that is spring pressed outwardly by spring3| held under compression within the bore. Movement of the plungerinopposite directions is limited by provision of lug 32 on the plungerthat rides in slots 33 of the handle.

One end of the plunger projects from the handle, and hassecured wit thepick member 34, that tapers to a thin resilient end 35 adapted to pick astring ll.

Extended laterally from the pick member is the cross pin 36, on theprojecting end of which is rotatably mounted the rubber roller 31 thatis adapted to ride upon a bar 24.

The use of-the device will now be readily understood. Assuming that theplayer intends to play the chords to a particular composition, he makessuch substitution of bars 24 as may be necessary to represent all thechords of said composition. Then, following instructions writtenelsewhere as to which chords are to be .played, the player starts at theleft hand end of-a selected bar 24', and with the roller 31 riding onthe top of the bar, moves the pick within and along the channel. at oneside of that bar, continuing to the right hand end of the bar if all thenotes in the chord of that bar are to be sounded. By doing 'so, roller31 is caused to enter in succession all the depressions 25 of thatparticular bar.

This causes the end 35 of the pick to be depressed each time the rollermoves into a depression, whereupon the string II under that depressionis picked. -It will be evident that any desired 'note or succession ofnotes among those of a particular chord may be played in any stroke ofthe pick merely by choosing the starting point or the stopping point forthe stroke, or both. Further,.by. starting each stroke with bassnotes ofa chord and stopping it after sounding a desired treble note thereof,and executing" sue cessive strokes in this manner with suitable timingand with proper selection of the terminal treble notes sounded in thesuccessive strokes,

the melodies as well as the chords of complete musical compositions canbe played in a very simple manner.

It is understood that before using the instru ment at all for thepurpose of playinga particular composition, the player may first desireto slidably adjust the frame in its trackway so as to provide for theplaying of the chords in a selected key.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stringed instrument the combination, with a set of strings, of aplurality of spaced parallel bars extended thereacross, each barrepresenting a chord and having a depression disposed over each stringto be played in sounding said chord, spaces between said bars formingchannelways to guide apick over the strings, and

' pick means adapted to be moved in and along over the strings, meansfor adjusting the frame.

relative to the strings to provide for key selection, a plurality ofbars supported on the frame in evenly spaced relation and transverse tothe strings, spacesbetween said bars forming channelways to guide a pickover the strings, each bar having spaced depressions overlying selectedstrings, and pick means adapted [for rollable traversing of a selected]to be moved in and along any selected channelway and including a pickpositioner thereupon resting on and. traversing a corresponding bar,saidpick means having a pick adapted by movement of said pickpoesitioner into and out of the depressions of. a bar. to be lowered intoengagement with. the

strings underlying the [depression] depressions.-

4. In a stringed instrument the combination, with a sound box and a setof strings [therein] thereon, of a trackway mounted on the sound box and[extending] directed across the strings, a frame slidably mounted in thetrackway, a [plurality of] multiplicity of spaced bars'Eremovably]supported by the frame, spaces between said bars forming channelways toguidea pick over the strings, each bar having spaced depressionsoverlying selected strings, and pick means adapted to bemoved in andalong any selected channelway and having a pick positioning elementthereupon operative to traverse [selected bars] a corresponding bar andto move into and out of the depressions of the bar, for engaging a pickwith selected strings.

5. In a stringed instrument the combination, with a set of strings, of[bars extending] a multiplicity of spaced bars adapted to extendthereacross, spaces between said bars forming channelways to guide apick over the strings, each bar representing a chord and havingdepressions spaced longitudinally thereof, said depressions adapted forlowering of a pick moved along [said means] any selected channelwaywhile contacting a corresponding bar into engagement with selectedstrings to be sounded, and for elevation of the pick above strings notto be sounded.

6. In a stringed instrument the combination, with a. sound box and a setof strings therein, of a frame supported upon the box and extending overthe strings, a plurality of chord bars carried by the frame, each ofwhich has spaced depressions in its upper surface overlying selectedstrings, and a pick adapted to be moved along the upper surface of achord bar and to move into and out of the depressions for picking saidselected strings.

'7. In a stringed instrument the combination, with a sound box and a setof strings therein, of a pair of parallel cross members fixedly mountedupon the box and extended transversely of the strings, an approximatelyrectangular frame slidably mounted upon the cross members for adjustmenttransversely of the strings, chord bars removably supported by theframe, each chord bar having spaced depressions in its upper surface,and a roller-mounted pick adapted to roll along the upper surface of achord bar and to be lowered into engagement with selected strings bymovement into and out of the spaced depressions.

8. In a stringed instrument the combination, with a sound box and a setof strings therein, of a pair of parallel cross members fixedly mountedupon the box and extended transversely of the strings, an approximatelyrectangular frame supported by the cross members for bodily adjustmenttransversely of the strings to selected positions, there being spacedseats formed in the ends of said frame, chord bars having their endsremovably supported in the seats, each chord bar having spaceddepressions in its upper surface, and a roller-mounted pick adapted toroll along the upper surface of a chord bar and to move into and out ofthe depressions, for wering of the pick into engagement with stringsunderlying the depressions.

9. In a stringed instrument, a sound boa: carrying a set of tunedstrings corresponding to at least one full octave, supporting means onsaid boa: spaced apart lengthwise of the strings and projecting abovethem to hold in playing position over the strings a pick-guiding framehaving a multiplicity of spaced parallel chord bars extending across thestrings, and a scale fixed in transverse relation to the strings andcarrying indicia denoting key notes of the respective strings, saidsupporting means providing a track in which the frame is slidable overthe strings to a playing position for any desired key of the scale.

10. For a stringed instrument comprising a multiplicity of tuned stringsadapted to be played by a pick, a pick-guiding frame comprising amultiplicity of evenly spaced bars adapted to ea: tend across thestrings of the instrument, spaces between the bars constituting separatechannelways to receive and guide the pick across the strings in playingthe instrument, a bar for each channelway comprising means operativeupon the pick as it is moved therealong to lower the pick atpredetermined intervals into positions for engagement with the stringsto be picked in playing a particular chord, and to hold the pick overthe strings between those intervals.

11. For a stringed instrument including a multiplicity of tuned stringsadapted to be played by a pick and a pick-guiding frame having amultiplicity of evenly spaced chord bars extending across the stringswith a pick channelway along each bar and pick-actuating means atselected intervals therealong, a pick member comprising a pickstockadapted to be moved by hand along any selected channelway, a pickassembly carried reciprocab-ly by said pickstock including a pickprojecting therefrom so as to move within the channelway for engagementwith strings thereunder, and pick positioning means on said assembly forcooperation with said pick-actuating means so as to move the pick intoand out of such engagement as it traverses the channelway.

12. For a stringed instrument including a multiplicity of tuned stringsadapted to be played by a pick and a pick-guiding frame having amultiplicity of evenly spaced chord bars extending across the stringswith a pick channelway along each bar and depressions at selectedintervals therealong, a pick member comprising a pickstock adapted to bemoved by hand along any selected channelway, a pick assembly carriedreciprocably by said pickstock including a carrier reciprocable in abore of the pickstock and a pick projecting therefrom so as to movewithin the channelway for engagement with strin s thereunder,cooperative means on the carrier and pickstock limiting the outward andinward positions of said assembly, spring means normally holding thesame in outward position, and pick positioning means on said assemblyincluding a roller projecting to a side thereof so as to bear against achord bar and move into and out of its depressions as the pick member ismoved in and along the corresponding channelway.

KERMIT A. BOWEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 480,750 Stark et a1 Aug. 16, 1892608,897 Muller Aug. 30, 1898 1,097,048 Reynolds et a1 May 19, 19142,401,571 Konter June 4, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11,529Great Britain June 2'7, 1896

